I Am Not My Disease

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1. 

   momof1

   <p>I too was what we call a &quot; gym rat.&quot; I loved the weights, loved the gym. I went most days &amp; worked outanywhere from 1 hr to 3 hrs, depending on what body parts I was working on. <br/><br/><br/>Going to the gym opposed to working out at my home gym, ( consisting mainly of a weigh bench, many different weight sizes in iron weight, plus a stair climber and stationary bike for aerobics,) helped w/ my bi-polar/hypermania &amp; ADHD. I also did yoga at home. It sounds easy but after 1 hr, sweat would pour off me. Now, Ican&#39;t do most yoga positions because of my AS.<br/><br/><br/>After my diagnosis of AS &amp; the rapid inflammation that caused 1 rotator cuff and 2 hip replacements, ( still waiting for both knees to be replaced, not looking forward to it,) I couldn&#39;t goto the gym, plus COVID had just hit.<br/><br/><br/>But because of all the surgeries, I&#39;ve had to go to Physical therapy many, many times, lol, I have every work-out band color, lol and knew how to use them.<br/><br/><br/>So when I&#39;m not having a flare, I try on most days to use the bands to work out whatever body part I can. The # 1 thing to make sure of tho is making sure your form is perfect, just like w/ weight lifing. Keep up the good work &amp; the great attitude!!</p>

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   1. 

      Rebecca C Moderator

      <p><inline-mention username="momof1" user-id="4172513"/> It&#39;s really great that you continue to exercise and use bands to facilitate better range of motion and mobility, especially after having had surgery. Wishing I did this much more often than I do. Rebecca (comm advc) </p>

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   2. 

      momof1

      <p><inline-mention username="Rebecca C" user-id="2106882"/> Do only what u can, you&#39;ll get there my friend!!</p>

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2. 

   Lisa Marie Basile Moderator

   <p>Hi there! I’m so glad that you mention acceptance and commitment therapy, because it’s something I hear a lot about these days. I think when you/we all have a chronic illness, resistance and denial are at the forefront of our minds, and that’s only natural. <br/><br/><br/>However, learning to ACCEPT that this disease is part of my life is one of the hardest and also one of the most fulfilling things. I’m going to explore this with my therapist. Thanks for lending your positive and helpful approach, and hope you’re doing well. <br/><br/><br/>Best, Lisa<br/>(AS Team Member)</p>

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3. 

   Julie Vallortigara Moderator

   <p>Hi <inline-mention username="maisi" user-id="2108559"/> <br/>Thanks for sharing that very important reminder and also some ways to cope with AxSpa symptoms. I think for me acceptance was a big work I had to do in order to live better with my condition. I have addressed my mental health using different approaches, and therapy was one of them. I did group work and also 1-2-1 sessions with a therapist.<br/>Could you please tell me more about how you did your therapy? I am interested in finding out more about what / how other people have done it.<br/>Take care,<br/>Julie.</p>

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